Armed bandits have killed five people and abducted 27 others in coordinated attacks across Giwa and Kubau local government areas of Kaduna State, according to the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KadVS). The attacks, which also involved cattle rustling, occurred between Saturday night and Monday night, with the younger brother of a Kaduna lawmaker among those abducted.
Giwa Attacks: Two Killed, 26 Abducted
In Giwa council area, bandits simultaneously attacked two communities in the early hours of Monday, September 8, 2026. In Tunburku, Kidandan District, two residents — Alhaji Surajo and Alhaji Ado — were shot dead, while another man, Ayyuba Usman, was wounded. A separate group attacked Tudun Amada in Kadage District at the same time, seizing 26 residents and taking them away.
Prior to these attacks, bandits had targeted the Kura community in Danmahawayi District at around 9pm on Saturday, driving off cattle belonging to local residents. A follow-up raid on Kallon Kura in the same district later that night also resulted in cattle being stolen.
Security Forces Recover Rustled Cattle
Acting on intelligence about the bandits' movement, KadVS operatives tracked the group and engaged them in a gun battle. The assailants retreated and abandoned the animals. Security personnel recovered 19 cattle around midnight, according to Yunusa Shehu, KadVS Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the attacks on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as reported by Nigerian Tribune.
Kubau Attacks: Three Vigilance Officers Killed, Lawmaker's Brother Abducted
In Kubau, three KadVS officers died after trying to stop a red Volkswagen Golf saloon during routine security checks along the Zaria-Pambegua axis. The driver refused to stop and sped away, prompting the officers to give chase in an official patrol van. The occupants of the vehicle opened fire, killing Dallami Dantani, the second-in-command of KadVS in Kubau, during the pursuit.
The suspects then turned back towards the KadVS office and shot and killed Abdullahi Hamisu and Zakariyya Musa before fleeing towards Zaria.
A few hours later, at about 10pm on Monday, a separate group of bandits arrived at a residence in the area using a Sharon vehicle. The terrorists abducted Sanusi, the younger brother of Alhaji Shehu Pambegua, a member representing Kubau constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
Official Response and Ongoing Efforts
KadVS Commander CP Ali Audu (retd) expressed condolences to the families of the three slain personnel. He described their deaths as a painful loss to the service. He praised the officers for their courage and dedication, and said the service would continue to support their families. Audu added that security surveillance has been heightened across Pambegua and surrounding communities, and that efforts are ongoing to find the abducted victims and arrest those behind the attacks.
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that armed bandits attacked Girkau and neighbouring communities in Kebbe LGA, Sokoto State, killing five people. Three people were injured, and residents, including young boys, girls, and a vigilante member, were abducted during the raid. The attack came days after bandits imposed a ₦40 million levy on Kebbe town, raising fresh alarm over security in the area.
